Wind Sensing and Modeling

NREL's wind sensing and modeling work supports the deployment of wind-based generation
technologies for all stages of a plant's life, from resource estimates to construction.

NREL researches the design and operation of remote wind measurement, or sensing, technologies
such as lidar, sodar, and radar as well as traditional wind measurements using surface
stations and towers. We also conduct research and development in wind modeling at
scales from individual turbines to wind plants to entire continents at a range of
resolutions.

Projects

NREL helps users understand how to use lidar for many applications. NREL researchers
supported the development of recommended practices for ground-based lidar for resource
assessment and contributed to international standards for the use of lidar for power
performance testing. NREL researchers also use lidar in complicated field tests to
monitor winds over large areas to validate wind plant flow models.

Wind lidar has been installed on turbines at the National Wind Technology Center to
gain advance knowledge of incoming winds and monitor wakes behind operating turbines. Leveraging
knowledge gained from NREL’s aerodynamics and flow modeling research, wake monitoring
allows wakes to be steered through a plant to avoid downwind turbines, which reduces
loads and increases performance.

NREL also works with manufacturers and end users directly and as part of the international
lidar community through IEA Wind Task 32.

In this project, researchers are measuring and modeling wind and other atmospheric
conditions in the Columbia River Gorge in partnership with industry, other national
laboratories, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. NREL's
work includes instrument deployments, modeling of weather in the area, and developing
a verification and validation framework for all project participants.